Woman Arrested After Faking Pregnancy to Steal Newborn Baby at Kenyatta National Hospital

Police in Nairobi are detaining a middle-aged woman accused of trying to steal a newborn baby at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Thursday.

Armed with an antenatal booklet, Elizabeth Musembi arrived at the hospital posing as a heavily expectant woman who was about to go into labor.

Security guards at the facility became suspicious and alerted police of a woman who was trying to pass herself off as a maternity patient.

It was later discovered that the suspect had stuffed pieces of clothes on her stomach for it to appear like she was pregnant and get admitted into the labor ward at KNH.

Police believe her plan was to get into the maternity ward and steal a baby.

“Information had been leaked to us and we indeed confirmed that that is not a genuine pregnancy,” Kilimani OCPD, Andrew Mbogo said.

“We strongly believe she would have left the hospital facility with a child not her own,” he added

In her defense, Elizabeth said she took the step in a desperate attempt to get a child after years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive.

The suspect claimed that she went to the hospital to enquire whether she could be given an abandoned baby to take care of but police believe otherwise. 

“Mimi naskianga Kenyatta ina watu ambao wanapata watoto na wanawaacha,” she told the media.

She said the antenatal clinic papers she was carrying were given to her by a woman who had promised to deliver a baby she did not want and hand it over to her.

“Niko na shida ya kupata mtoto…nilizungumza na mama fulani aliniambia atanizalia,” she added.

Elizabeth will be arraigned in court on Monday to face charges of conspiracy to effect unlawful purpose contrary to section 395 (f) of the Penal Code.